Overview

• Jon Heyman reported New York was among fewer than five clubs to check on the NL Cy Young leader and was quickly rebuffed by Pittsburgh.
• The Pirates have continued to label Skenes untouchable, and preliminary conversations went nowhere despite the outreach.
• Yankees officials understood the slim odds of a blockbuster but figured a phone call couldn’t hurt, according to Heyman.
• Skenes is a 23-year-old ace under team control until free agency after the 2029 season, with elite performance elevating his value.
• Heyman also wrote that Pittsburgh is now likely to pursue an extension following a second-half uptick under interim manager Don Kelly.